The Massachusetts marijuana industry needs protection. Not only are there more and more stories of cities and towns going beyond their host community agreements to shake a few more dollars out of pot businesses, now, a big city mayor has been arrested on charges of allegedly extorting marijuana vendors for cash, according to authorities.

Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II was arrested in his home on Friday.

According to the indictment, Correia agreed to issue non-opposition letters to marijuana vendors, which are required in order to operate in Massachusetts, in return for cash bribes and other payments.

“The pay-to-play activities alleged in the indictment, if they’re true, are unusual in how brazen they are,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said. “If the indictment is correct, Mayor Correia apparently, without hesitation, was extorting marijauna vendor after marijuana vendor.”

The bribes alleged Friday ranged from approximately $100,000 to $250,000 in cash, campaign contributions and mortgage discharges — in return for non-opposition letters and host community agreements, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office added: “To date, Correia has issued at least 14 non-opposition letters for marijuana businesses to operate in Fall River, including two for his current girlfriend’s brother.”

By all appearances, Mayor Correia is a crook’s crook. He was already facing charges for stealing investor funds intended for his app company. Prosecutors say he used investor funds as his “personal ATM” to enjoy a lavish lifestyle and pay student loan debt. That trial begins in February.

Incredibly, the 27-year-old Correia is running for re-election, despite his legal troubles.

Not everyone is Mayor Correia but pot shops have been dealing with harassment since doors opened in 2018, according to Jim Borghesani, former communications director for the 2016 legalization campaign and current cannabis industry consultant.

“I applaud US Attorney Lelling for bringing forward charges in a classic municipal pay-for-play bribery scheme,” Borghesani said in a statement. “But I hope that this egregious example does not eclipse the similar financial shakedowns on the cannabis industry present in nearly every Host Community Agreement signed to date in Massachusetts. Lelling has set a good example for the CCC and state leaders to follow.”

There are efforts underway on Beacon Hill to protect the industry from communities going around the host agreements for additional money-grabs. The Fall River developments indicate that even stronger protections must be put in place by lawmakers.

Marijuana businesses in compliance with the law are as legal as any other venture and must enjoy the same adequate protections as those other businesses. The goals of eliminating the black market and generating revenue depend on it.